Undergraduate Journal of Politics, Policy and Society

The Influence of Local Government Transparency on Community Engagement and Perceptions During the Green Transition in Velenje

Zoja Krenker — 2024-12-03

This article explores the role of transparency in democratic governance with a focus on its impact on public trust and community engagement in green transition initiatives. It emphasizes the importance of openness in government actions, decisions, and information, arguing that transparency not only prevents corruption but also enhances legitimacy, efficiency, and citizen participation. Drawing on the context of the European Union's environmental policies and the case study of Velenje's green transition, the paper examines the discrepancies between different actors’ perceptions of transparency and its relationship with public acceptance of sustainable development efforts. Through comprehensive analysis and empirical data collection, this article highlights how low levels of perceived transparency can negatively impact gaining public support for green initiatives and fostering a collaborative and informed society.

English Identity, populism and decentralized governance: The Italy-Albania Migration Agreement

Kaltra Asllani — 2024-12-03

The European Union started as an elite-driven project focused on meeting mostly economic needs but gradually, it transformed into a complex entity that aims to incorporate sensitive issues like immigration, into its agenda. This jurisdictional transformation has not been matched by a parallel transformation of collective identities. In many member-states populist politicians have tried to exploit this gap by capitalizing on the citizens’ fears. Findings show that ethnocentrism among national actors can intensify EU politicization, particularly during times of crisis. Through the lens of postfunctionalism, this analysis explores the role of national identity in shaping immigration policy, highlighting the 2023 Italy-Albania migration agreement as a case study. The shift towards decentralized governance and externalization of border controls caused by the 2015 migration crisis raises ethical concerns about human rights implications. The EU appears to have no choice but to find a balance between incorporating public preferences to reduce conflicts while also keeping its values intact.

Social Media and National Solidarity: Rise of Ukrainian Language Use on Telegram During the Russo-Ukrainian War.

Maksim Beleziakou — 2024-12-18

This study examines the notable linguistic change that occurred in the Ukrainian public sphere on popular political Telegram channels after the Russo-Ukrainian war escalated in February 2022. Despite official initiatives to promote Ukrainian, Russian was historically important in Ukrainian media and public discourse. The study reveals a striking shift from Russian to Ukrainian language usage by examining more than 290,000 posts from four of the most popular Ukrainian political Telegram channels between February 2022 and October 2024. The proportion of Ukrainian-language content increased from an average of 20% to over 95% across these channels. This tendency reflects a reinforcement of Ukrainian national solidarity and a collective response to external aggression. This highlights how social media platforms like Telegram serve as both reflectors and amplifiers of societal transformations, offering valuable insights into the interplay between political crises, language use, and national solidarity in the digital age.

Local Responses to Global Humanitarian Crises

Ruben Kleeb — 2024-12-03

With the increasing intensity of humanitarian crises, the efficient implementation of humanitarian responses becomes more challenging. While humanitarianism is enacted through the guiding principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence, organisations often still become entangled in bureaucratic, political, and economic constraints influencing how, where, and what aid is introduced. This paper examines how grassroots organisations navigate the broader humanitarian system; how they address needs that larger institutions often overlook and overcome the limitations of institutionalised humanitarian frameworks. Through community-driven initiatives, humanitarian discourse is shifted towards more need-based humanitarianism. Findings suggest that grassroots networks challenge the traditional top-down humanitarian model and ensure that aid efforts are rooted in the actual needs of the affected. This underscores the importance of inclusive, bottom-up strategies to reshape humanitarian discourse and ensure aid that is both relevant and equitable.

The Polycrises and Design of International Institutions

Fahmy Fadzil — 2024-12-03

This paper explores the concept of polycrisis, defined as the interconnectedness of multiple global crises. It delves into how the rational design of international organizations (IOs) can either mitigate or exacerbate these crises. By examining the key dimensions and independent variables of IOs, the research investigates how factors such as membership rules, centralization, and flexibility can influence crisis management. The paper argues that while IOs have the potential to address global challenges, their inherent design limitations can hinder effective crisis response. Through a case study analysis of the global energy, transportation, and healthcare systems, the research highlights how the rational design of IOs can contribute to the generation and prolongation of polycrises. By understanding these limitations, policymakers can work towards reforming IOs to better address the complex challenges of the 21st century.

Crisis Management in Hong Kong

Vernon Kow — 2024-12-03

The defining aspects of Hong Kong’s democratic development since its transfer of sovereignty in 1997 are encapsulated by two key events. Firstly, the 2014 Umbrella Movement was triggered by a Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (“NPCSC”) decision. It determined that while Hong Kong citizens could vote for its Chief Executive (“CE”), candidates must first be nominated by the Hong Kong Government and then approved by the Central People’s Government. Secondly, the months of mass protests (“Anti-ELAB Movement”) from 2019 to 2020 were sparked by the Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019, colloquially known as the ‘Extradition Bill’.

Utilising the crisis framework developed by Boin et al., this essay intends to compare the handling of each crisis under the administrations of Leung Chun-Ying and Carrie Lam as Chief Executives of Hong Kong. This essay argues that Leung’s crisis management is significantly more effective than Lam’s, albeit Leung was also assisted by circumstances that benefitted his efforts.

When East Meets West

Hui En Loo — 2024-12-03

This study examines the role of cultural differences in shaping government responses during the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) via Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Theory. The analysis will focus on the epicenters in the East and West –– Wuhan City, China and New York City, United States –– during the initial outbreak of the pandemic, on the three key dimensions: individualism-collectivism, indulgence vs restraint, and long-term vs short-term orientation. This study reveals that China’s collectivist, restrained, and long-term oriented culture facilitated unified action while New York City’s individualistic, indulgent, and short-term-oriented society experienced delays in implementing restrictive measures, due to concern about personal liberty. The findings suggest that culturally attuned public health strategies are crucial for effective management amidst public health crises.

The Impacts of Mass Media on Political Poliraztion

Kennedy elaine Williams — 2024-12-03

Abstract

The dispersion of Mass Media impacts political institutions' views on polarization. The dominant explanation for this trend is that news, social media, and political ads significantly affect how individuals view the world around them. The internet is considered a way to enhance people's lives, so what people view or hear via these institutions is generally regarded as factual. In this study, I use previous research from the National Library of Medicine, Chapters from The Handbook of Media and Mass Communication Theory, Data from UGOV, Data from Political Polarization in the American Public, and personal statements from interviewed individuals. Contrary to widespread belief, polarization is not a significant issue dividing our country; instead, it is a false reality created by fake news and propaganda. With the rise of media viewing, political tension, and social divide, polarization has become a significant factor in political debate and the outcomes of politics.

The Impact of Discursive Convergence on Institutional Trust: Analyzing the Role of Shared Language in Political Discourse

Luka Rtveladze — 2024-12-03

This article explores the research question: How does discursive convergence influence institutional trust in a hyper-partisan political environment? The theoretical foundation draws from linguistics, political science, and sociology, examining the role of language in shaping public perceptions and political discourse. The main argument posits that shared language among political actors can enhance trust and facilitate constructive dialogue, countering the effects of polarization. By promoting inclusive language and acting collaboratively, political leaders can foster a more engaged citizenry and improve governance. The article also addresses the impact of social media in amplifying polarization and misinformation. Ultimately, the conclusion asserts that intentional communication strategies and the construction of shared narratives are essential for rebuilding trust in democratic institutions, leading to a more resilient political culture that prioritizes collaboration and collective identity in addressing societal challenges.

Trust and Disaster Management in Turkey A Critical Assessment of the 1999 and 2023 Earthquakes

Ilayda Erdogdu — 2024-12-03

This article poses the research question: How do systemic corruption and ineffective government responses influence public trust in disaster management in Turkey? Utilizing a theoretical framework that views disasters as integral components of societal systems, the study examines the effects of governmental failures during the 1999 and 2023 earthquakes on public perception. The main arguments highlight that inadequate disaster relief efforts and pervasive corruption within the construction industry significantly eroded public trust in governmental institutions. Furthermore, the article explores the evolving role of civil society organizations (CSOs) as important partners in disaster response, illustrating a growing public reliance on these entities. The conclusion asserts that rebuilding trust requires a collaborative approach between government and CSOs, emphasizing the need for transparency, accountability, and a focus on public welfare to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience in the future.